Licensed VS. Unlicensed

MakDeco

I'll agree to disagree then, I hope you like you framed picture on the wall, smile at it when you write the check for it.

I do everything legit you can't tell me otherwise, when I pay my taxes the IRS address me as and has since 1992, they don't have a problem with the way i am doing things and in my book that's what counts! I am legal, legit, pay payroll taxes, quarterly and yearly income taxes, self employment taxes, WC, carry 2 mil in liability, etc.. etc..

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MAK Deco

Cheri93GT

Also if you do not have a license, I know in my state (NJ) you will be fined. A plumber in the state was fined something like $50,000.00 for working without a license. In the end no it isnt worth it!

In NJ you need a contractors license to do anything. And that includes being a landscaper. You dont need it to mow lawns but if you want to plant a flower that involves digging a hold and that requires a license. The only good thing is that in NJ once you have the Home Improvement Contractors license you can do anything that involves improving a home. But your insurance will limit you with what they will allow. If you install new roofs for example some insurance agencies wont cover or if they do your premiums go up.

Brushslingers

It's ok Cheri, I just think he missed the first two lines on the link I sent...


Whether you are a multi-billion dollar corporation, or operate a gumball machine, you are responsible for licensing your business. If you own virtually any business in the City of Chicago, you must be licensed.

It includes the state he is in but, we agree to disagree.

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Benn

Tmrrptr

jg,
Your heading says you ARE a painting contractor...
YOU should know !

IF is the word


IF there is any problem, everyone concerned is very nearly without recourse.

Either way, charge whatever you can get!

I have yet to meet a wealthy painter.
r

MakDeco

I hate to bring it up Slingers, but the link you sent was for the city of Chicago not the state of IL, go to the state of IL page the state does not require any License for Painting in IL. My village does not require any certs for painting contractors. The city of Chicago does if your business address is located with in the city limits. If you do business there as well I am assuming by the information posted on that site.(so i guess if I wish to work within the city limits I will get one then)

If you wish to agree to disagree you can't throw out one liners after the fact...

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MAK Deco

Brushslingers

That I agree on, friends don't let friends surf drunk. Sorry.

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Benn

lornmastro

If you work in the state you live in AND another state are you required to get a license in both states?? Who can you go to to find out about licensing in your state....can't find anything for pennsylvania. I have ins./fein # and a business account.

rws

Your local PDCA may help you also NJ division of consumer affairs may link you to a PA. agency.

Da Vinci

You could get away with it for awhile working for home owners. But the first big job with a contractor he's going to require certificates of insurance which you can't get without license.

Either you want a business or you don't. If you can't decide, find another field of work.

Bob
elshaddaipainting.com

lornmastro

I'm confused....I have a million dollar liability policy....what certificate of insurance are you talking about??

MakDeco

Actually you can get business insurance and certs in IL w/o being license, the state of IL doesn't require painters to be licensed.

Each state does its licensing different check with your state for the exact rules required for you specific company type.

If getting a license means going thru a training program or taking test then great I am all for it, but for most basic business' its just another form of a tax!, just like license plates fees, etc.... etc... I won't even get started on how I feel about taxes, i.e. - property, incomes, sales etc etc

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MAK Deco

MrSandman

yet, this liscensing thread has made me understand that although painting is not what We do.... it is the same old thing...just another trade but the same issues can be said about the Flooring trade...

I guess it just matters that what is done in one state or jurisdiction is definitely not true for all places throughout these United States.

Thanks for all the posts, it helps me to learn that much more about the liscensed VS. unlicensed trades in any field.

Tmrrptr

It would probably help if everyone posting would include the state they live in within their signature. Some states have REALLY refined their tax grabbing techniques and mandated all sorts of percs for the insurance mega corporations... I was hoping they might declare homeowners MUST have construction work done on a bi-annual basis to keep our industry healthy.

Other states seem to allow their citizens to select workmen on the basis of reputation.


I checked our CA license board list of revoked licenses just a few weeks ago. About 95% of the revoked licenses are less than 3 years old.
Working on a suspended license and lack of comp were high on the list.
r

Da Vinci

Here in CA, if you work at all for GC's, they require certificates of insurance for workers comp and Liability. They also check your license online to see if it's current. The CSLB (California State Licensing Board) also posts insurance track record.

So if you are unlicensed, you can only get by with residential repaints. If you're caught- fines and inability to get a license are your reward.

So unless you speak spanish and get your work by jumping into a truck at Home Depot, you'll be severely limited in what you can do. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop licensed contractors from hiring truck jumpers and paying cash under the table. But if homeowners want to put their valuables and family in the hands of those kind of guys, good luck.

We quit doing regular work years ago because it's impossible to compete. We only do high end, high quality work for people who appreciate it and would never hire a stranger to work around their valuables and children....

Bob
Bay Area Painting Contractor

ED_Painting

There is a license for painters in Connecticut it's called Home Improvement Contractor License. And you are required to have it in order to operate.

Frankawitz

why would you dig up a post from two years ago

capital city

It is different everywhere. In Kentucky you dont have to have a license. I have one and kind of wish I never got one. They dont check on anyone and it just cost money as you do not have to have one to get an EIN or a business account. I know because I have a business account and an EIN and neither asked if I was licensed or not. Also you do not have to be an LLC or anything else to be legal here. You just file as a sole proprietor or patnership instead. I wish they were much sctricter on license and soforth as I think it would weed out alot of the hacks and also give the city more money so they wouldnt have to continue to raise taxes on the ones who actually pay them.

Frankawitz

Come on your talking about Government When in your life time have you seen any Government get anything Right?
They want contractors to have a license so they can take the Money out of the contractors pockets and spend it on BS. I mean come on the Government can't stop the Illegals why would you think they can held the Unlicensed contractors out there Half the time the Government can't find it's azz from a hole in the ground.

Tom Cornett

I worked in Nashville Tenn. for 6 years with many contractors. Some of them couldn't even spell license but were good painters. One was hauling in over a million dollars a year....he paid cash.....20 man crew...no workers comp...no license. He did have liability insurance...I think? He was taking a ridiculous risk!
I subcontracted most of my work and carried my own insurance when needed. I used my SS number for my business and paid taxes that way. If you are working by yourself doing small jobs then I would say a license is not necessary unless it is required by law in your area. (I would obtain liability insurance)
If you are hiring employees....taking on commercial work...I would go by the law and standard of professional contractors period.

Wolfgang

Why does a dog lick his......because they can. I was wondering the same thing all the way through this.